Double length filter plug and cigarette connector sheet applicator

ABSTRACT

In this invention, connector sheets are applied to pairs of axially aligned cigarettes and an interposed double length filter plug by means of a rotating drum having on its periphery two corresponding groups of longitudinal fins or projections laterally positioned from each other to define an intermediate region on the drum periphery. The width of the intermediate region is slightly greater than the length of the filter plug while the spacing between the projections is substantially equal to that of the circumference of a cigarette. The drum is operatively associated with a mechanism which cuts connector sheets from a continuous tape, the sheets being coated with adhesive on its upper surface relative to the drum in the area corresponding to the intermediate region between two successive fins, the drum also being associated with a transfer means which transfers to the drum, for each connector sheet, a pair of cigarettes with the interposed filter plug, selectively actuated pneumatic cigarette and connector sheet retaining means being provided to cooperate with the drum. The cigarettes and the filter plug are rolled on their own axis on the periphery of the drum to wrap around itself the adhesive connector sheet.

[ 51 May 30, 1972 United States Patent Giatti r m ass coo Mm www n 768 u 833 um WT GE mm PS RR m0 T C H N m N R EmO L T E A L C mu UGP OIP DCA M Primary Examiner-Samuel Koren [72] Inventor:

Filippo Giatti, Bologna, Italy AMF Incorporated Assistant Examiner-J. F. Pitrelli Attorney-George W. Price and Eli Weiss [73] Assignee:

T m T S B A H 5 I 0 7 9 l 6 Mn 0 N ll .mw FA P U Um.

In this invention, connector sheets are applied to pairs of axially aligned cigarettes and an interposed double length filter plug by means of a rotating drum having on its periphery two [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 29, 1969 corresponding groups of longitudinal fins or projections the spacing between the projections is substantially equal to that of the circumference of a cigarette. The drum is opera- 42 wo uw A R2M 1A fl n 153 "5 m m MAW nu .r mmm L I. w d sum UIF 3 1 M 555 tively associated with a mechanism which cuts connector sheets from a continuous tape, the sheets being coated with References Cited adhesive on its upper surface relative to the drum in the area UNITED STATES PATENTS corresponding to the intermediate region between two successive fins, the drum also being associated with a transfer means 6/1964 Schubert..................,...............131/94 2/1940 l/197O 6/1941 3/1966 2,188,993 which transfers to the drum, for each connector sheet, a pair 3,491,767

....131/94 131/21 R 131/21 RX Edwards of cigarettes with the interposed filter plug, selectively actu- Kaeding...............................

'Ruau ated pneumatic cigarette and connector sheet retaining means being provided to cooperate with the drum. The cigarettes and 131/21 RUX K hal ki et a1. S the filter plug are rolled on their own axis on the periphery of the drum to wrap around itself the adhesive connector sheet.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 886,657 1/1962 GreatBritain.........................,.131/94 lClaim,6DrawingFigures Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,930

4 Sheets-Sheet l 'INVENTOR. F/L/PPO 6/4 T 7' ATTORNEY Patented May 30, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ALT MFW I INVENTOR. F/L/PP/ 6/4771 ATTORNEY Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,930

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 29 F INVEN'IOR.

FILIPPO GIATT/ d l; W

ATTORNEY Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,930

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. FJLIPPO QIATTI 6L) Q/QQ ATTORNEY DOUBLE LENGTH FILTER PLUG AND CIGARETTE CONNECTOR SHEET APPLICATOR The present invention relates to cigarette makers in general, and, more particularly, to a device which has for its object to apply a connector sheet to a pair of cigarettes in axial alignment having interposed between them a filter plug of twice the final length desired for one cigarette.

When making filter tip cigarettes, a filter plug is interposed between and attached to two cigarettes by a glue coated connection sheet. The connector sheet is rolled aroundthe filter plug and around the ends of the cigarettes which are positioned to press against both ends of the filter plugs to obtain a reliable and satisfactory attachment at all points without air pockets being formed.

To increase the output of a cigarette maker, it has been found convenient to assemble a pair of cigarettes which originate from the cigarette maker proper with a double length filter plug in such a manner that the two cigarettes press against the two ends of a filter plug to form an axially aligned assemblage or pair of cigarettes consisting of a cigarette, a double length filter plug and another cigarette. In an application bearing U.S. Ser. No. 25,798 and assigned to the same assignee, there is disclosed a method and apparatus for obtaining in a particularly simple and eflicient manner this type of cigarette assembly by using directly and continuously the cigarettes produced by a cigarette maker to form, at alternate pitches, two rows of cigarettes with a double length filter plug interposed between each cigarette of one row and the corresponding cigarette of the other row.

This invention relates to applying the connector sheets to the pairs of cigarettes so formed so as to enable them to be severed in the center of the filter plug to obtain from each pair two complete single cigarettes.

In this invention, connector sheets are applied to pairs of axially aligned cigarettes and an interposed double length filter plug. To accomplish this, there is provided a rotating drum having on its periphery two corresponding groups of longitudinal fins or projections, laterally interspaced between each other, in order to delimit an intermediate region or ring of the drum periphery, whose width is slightly greater than the filter plug length, while the length of the projection spacing pitch is substantially equal to that of the circumference of a cigarette, the drum being operatively associated with a cutter mechanism which cuts the connector sheets from a continuous tape of paper which is coated with glue on its upper surface, in relation to the drum, in the area corresponding to the intermediate region between two successive fins, said drum being also associated with a transfer means to transfer on said drum, for each connector sheet, a pair of cigarettes with the interposed filter plug, and pneumatic cigarette and connector sheet retaining means being provided which cooperate with the drum. These means can be selectively actuated in sequence along predetermined arcs of the drum path, with the exception of at least a section or arc of said path, in which the cigarettes and the filter plug with the associated connector sheet remain engaged between the drum and a fixed surface where, due to the combined effect of the drum rotating motion and to the friction of said pair of cigarettes against said surface, said pair of cigarettes roll on its own axis between the side of a projection and the opposite side of the successive projection to wrapping itself around the adhesive connector sheet.

Additionally, in the area of another short arc of the drum rotating path, downstream of the rolling region, no suction is applied to the cigarettes or the filter plug wrapped by the connector sheet; the assembly being retained agains the drum by a lever which is hinged at one end on a fixed pin and is elastically forced against the drum by a spring to engage crosswise the assemblage of two cigarettes and the filter plug in the middle of the filter plug. Thus, if an assemblage has no connector sheet, the cigarettes will drop in the area of said lever because no suction is present through the holes of the drum, while if there exists a pair of cigarettes with the connector sheet but without the filter plug, said cigarettes will also be rejected because the connector sheet does not have sufficient rigidity, and will yield under the pressure of the lever and the cigarettes will be separated from the drum, so that even when suction is again applied through the drum holes, it will have no effect on these cigarettes which will also fall as rejected cigarettes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of manufacturing filter tip cigarettes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can detect the absence of a connector sheet normally used to connect a filter plug to a cigarette.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device that can detect the absence of a filter plug at the end of a cigarette.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device that is reliable in operation and economical to use.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.

The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation schematic view of a device which applies a connector sheet to pairs of cigarettes having a double length filter plug interposed between them, by rolling the pair of cigarettes on a fixed concavesurface in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line II II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1, in the area of the rolling concave surface and of the associated sensing lever for detecting incomplete or defective pairs of cigarettes;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view taken on lines IV IV of FIG. 5 of a drum which applies connector sheets, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on lines V V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken on lines VI VI of FIG. 5.

With reference to the drawings and, in particular, to the embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 3, the device, according to the invention, comprises a drum 1 which is fitted, free to revolve, without air leakage, on a fixed cylindrical body 2 in which circumferential grooves 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 are provided on the periphery, said grooves being associated and/or angularly interspaced relative to each other in a manner which will be more particularly specified in the course of the present description.

The grooves communicate with a suction duct or manifold 3 formed in the cylindrical body 2. A certain quantity of suction is maintained in the manifold by suction means (not illustrated) which communicate with it in any suitable manner through a suction duct 4.

Drum 1 has on its periphery two corresponding sets of longitudinal projections or fins 5 which are uniformly spaced between each other around the entire periphery of the drum, and having a pitch not less than the length of a cigarette circumference. Sides of the projections are filleted to the drum with a gentle slope and preferably the filleting surfaces have a radius substantially equal to that of a cigarette.

Drum 1 has an intermediate region or ring 6 positioned between the two sets of flutes 5. The ring 6 is a little wider than twice the length of a cigarette filter. Into this ring 6, a paper tape 7 is fed on the drum and a rotary knife 8, which is operatively associated with drum 1 and cuts the tape into segments 9 which correspond to the spacing pitch of fins 5 on drum 1. These segments are held by suction on ring 6 of drum 1, the suction being applied through holes 106 of drum 1 when the holes 106 communicate with groove 302 of cylindrical body 2.

For each of the connector sheets, a pair of cigarettes 81 S2 with a double length filter plug F interposed between them is delivered to drum 1. This is effected by means of a transfer drum l0, operatively coupled to drum 1, which transfers the assemblage S1, F, S2, to a matching point T located downstream of knife 8 relative to the direction of rotation of drum 1. During the transfer, the filter plug F remains symmetrically positioned on the connector sheet, an adhesive material having been applied to the face where the filter plug will be laid. In this position, the connector sheet projects slightly beyond the ends of filter plug F and also cover a small section of the ends of cigarettes S1, S2 which are pressing on each end of the filter plug. After matching point T, suction is applied through holes 205 provided on the opposite peripheral rings of drum I crossed by the two sets of fins 5, and located in the area of sides 105 of said fins. This suction retains cigarettes S1, S2 of a pair, while filter plug F is adhesively retained against connector sheet 9 which is, in turn, pneumatically retained against the central ring or region 6 of drum 1 by the suction through holes 106.

Suction grooves 102, 202, 302 terminate at the same point in an area, downstream of matching point T in relation to the direction of rotation of drum 1, where the assemblage S1, F, S2 with the associated connector sheet 9 is engaged against the stationary surface 111 of a member 11 which is mounted to oscillate freely around a pin 12. When desired, member 11 can be moved at will in a position 21 1 to be operatively disengaged from drum 1, for instance, when surface 111 is being cleaned. On being engaged by surface 11 l, the assemblage S1, F, S2 begins to roll on the drum in the space between two consecutive projections 5, due to the combined effect of the rotation of drum 1 and of the friction of said assemblage against the stationary surface 111. It is this rolling which forms the wrapping of connector sheet 9 around filter F and the adjacent ends of cigarettes S1, S2 and, as an adhesive has been applied previously to the surface of the connector sheet in contact with the cigarettes and the filter plug, the connector sheet will be securely positioned around and attached to the cigarettes and the filter plug. If required, heating means, associated with member 11 can be conveniently provided to heat surface 1 11 to expedite the drying of the adhesive and facilitate the adhesion of the connector sheet 9. The relative motion of the assemblage S1, F, S2 in relation to drum 1 while it rolls, is such that the assemblage rotates from side 105 of projection to the opposite side 105 of the successive projection. The assemblage stops with the longitudinal seam of connector sheet 9 facing drum 1. In these conditions, the cigarette is drawn by drum 1 beyond the end of surface 111, but suction, which is now resumed when the drum passes over the suction groove 402, holds the assemblage onto the drum.

Groove or passageway 502 extends to matching point R located between drum 1 and transfer drum 13 which picks up the assemblage S1, F, S2 now having a connector sheet and transfers the assemblage to successive devices. In addition, there is provided means for interrupting this suction during a short portion of rotation of the drum during which time the assemblages are engaged by a lever 14 which is pivoted at one end on a pin 15. A helical torsion spring 16 coupled to the pin 15 and having one end fixed and the other end positioned to urge lever 14 to mechanically retain the assemblies S1, F, S2 against said drum.

Lever 14 is positioned to engage an assemblage S1, F, S2 approximately in the area corresponding to the middle of filter F. Thus, if drum 1 conveys to the lever an assemblage S1, F, S2 which does not have a connector sheet, cigarettes S1, S2 will drop freely away from drum 1 as no force is exerted, either mechanically or pneumatically, to hold them against drum 1. If, however, there exists a pair or assemblage of cigarettes S1, S2 wrapped with a connector sheet 9 but without filter plug F, the pair will also be automatically rejected from the operating line, as the connector by itself does not present sufficient rigidity and is deformed by the lever. Deformation of the connector sheet causes the cigarettes S1 and S2 to move away from the drum. Therefore, when suction is again applied through groove 502, these cigarettes are not subjected to the suction effect and drop as rejected cigarettes. Groove 502 has a length sufiicient to permit the assemblage of cigarettes in combination with the connector sheet to remain on the drum for a period of time sufficient to permit the complete drying and sealing of the connector sheet to the assemblage.

Obviously, for the assemblage S1, F, S2 normally provided with a connector sheet, lever 14 acts as a simple elastic guide during the interval between the outlet of groove 402 and the inlet of groove 502 when there is no suction present.

The lever device 14 can be used also for picking up samples of double cigarettes complete with filter plug and connector sheet. For this purpose, a pin 114 is fixed laterally on lever 14. On this pin 114, a force can be exerted, directly or indirectly, in any suitable manner, which overcomes the restoring torque exerted on the lever by spring 16 to move selectively the lever away from drum 1 and to allow one or more assemblies S1, F, S2, complete with connector sheet 9, to fall off the drum into a collector bin for subsequent inspection.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, there is illustrated a variation of the selectively actuated pneumatic retaining means associated with the drum. In this embodiment, there is provided instead of a drum I mounted, free to rotate, without air leakage, on a fixed cylindrical body 2 having the above mentioned circumferential suction grooves, a drum 101 having substantially the shape of a hollow cylindrical body mounted, free to rotate, on an actuating shaft 18. Drum 101 is keyed to shaft 18 by means of key 19 and wedge nut 20. Shaft 18 is supported by two bearings 21 which are housed in a hub-shaped bushing protruding laterally out of a fixed part of the machine structure.

Externally, the periphery of drum 101 has the same form of the periphery as drum 1, with two sets of projections interspaced with a constant pitch 5 and an intermediate ring 6, and with the relative suction apertures 205 and 106. However, in the case of drum 101, these apertures communicate with sets of dead holes or passageways 23, 24, 25 which extend longitudinally on the drum, parallel to the axis of rotation of the latter. The holes of each set are equispaced according to radially equispaced circular rings in which the holes of each ring have the same angular pitch of projections such that there is one hole of each ring for each group of apertures 106, 205 between two consecutive projections around drum 101.

The apertures of the sets of holes are at one end of drum 101 against which there adheres a flat sealing ring or disc 26. Disc 26 supports slits 27, 28, 29, 30 which are circumferentially arc-shaped louvers centered on the geometrical axis of rotation of said drum. The flat ring 26 is positioned adjacent to a metal ring 31 which supports slits identical to those aligned with ring 26. Ring 31 seals frontally and is integral with member 32 of a suction distributor having two separate suction manifolds 33, 34 (FIG. 5), the first of which is associated with slits 27, 28 while the second is associated with slits 29, 30. It must be observed, however, that while slits 27, 28 which correspond to holes 23 and to the apertures 106, extend substantially along an arc of the same radius, and are angularly interspaced from each other. Slits 29 and 30, although communicating with a common manifold 34, are interspaced between each other not only angularly but also radially, in such a manner that the radius of the outmost circumferential edge of the inmost slit 30 is slightly lower than the radius of the inmost circumferential edge of the outmost slit 29in relation to the center of disc 26. Slits 29 and 30 correspond respectively with the longitudinal holes 25 and 24 of lateral apertures 205 of drum 101 and suction manifolds 33, 34 communicate with suitable suction sources through the respective connections 133 and 134.

Through slit 27 and the associated ducts 23 of drum 101 a suction retaining force through manifold 33 is exerted on the connector sheet substantially along the entire are from the area where the paper tape is engaged on the central drum ring 6 to the point where the assembly S1, F, S2 with the relative connector sheet 9 are temporarily engaged by member 11 for the connector sheet rolling. This force is resumed at slit 28, in the short section between the point of disengagement of the assemblage from concave l1 and the point of engagement of said assemblage on lever 14.

it will be observed, however, that between the matching point T and the point in which the assemblage is transferred to concave 11, suction is also exerted on the cigarettes through slit 29 of manifold 34 and the associated holes 25 of drum 101. This suction does not, however, exist in the section corresponding to slit 28. Thus, if an assemblage has a filter plug but does not have the connector sheet, the relative cigarettes will fall as no suction is available to hold them. Filter plug F will fall downstream of lever 14, in the direction of rotation of drum 101 as suction is applied to the cigarettes only from there up to the matching point R by manifold 34 through slit 30 and the associated longitudinal holes 24 of said drum. In those instances where the pairs of cigarettes have a connector sheet but do not have a filter plug, lever 14 acts as a rejector of the pairs of cigarettes in the manner previously described for the preceding embodiment.

Finally, in an area downstream of matching point R, three slits 35, 36, 37 are provided on disc 26 which are radially aligned and in radial positions which correspond respectively to slits 27, 29 and 30. Through these slits, a temporary blowing action can be effected through holes 23, 25 and 24 and apertures 105, 106 to clear the drum surface from possible particles which might have adhered to it in preparation for a successive rolling cycle.

To ensure frontal seal between drum 101 and disc 26, said disc is kept slightly pressed against the head of the drum by means of helical pressure springs 38 engaged between the outer head of body 32 of the manifold and a fixed part of the machine, each spring being associated with a respective screw 39 which adjusts the load of the spring to a desired value.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teaching. it is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for applying a connector sheet to assemblages of pairs of cigarettes aligned axially and having a double length filter plug therebetween which includes a rotatable drum, first and second pluralities of projections positioned uniformly around the peripheries of said drum with an intermediate region therebetween having a width greater than the length of said filter plug, wherein a succession of adhesive coated connector sheets are delivered to said intermediate annular region and said assemblages are transferred to the drum with the filter plug being positioned on the adhesive connector sheet and the cigarettes being in contact with the sides of aligned first and second pluralities of projections, and means to induce the pair of cigarettes and filter plug to roll along the periphery of the rotatable drum to a next occurring plurality of projections whereby the adhesive coated connector sheet is wrapped around the filter plug to form the assemblage, testing apparatus, which comprises:

a lever mounted for pivotable movement towards and away from the rotatable drum, and

means biasing said lever toward the drum to engage the wrapped assemblage approximately at its midlength, whereby if there is a pair of cigarettes having a connector sheet wrapped all around but without any filter plug, said connector sheet will yield to cause the cigarettes united by the connector sheet to move away from the drum and thereafter fall from the drum as rejected cigarettes. 

1. In apparatus for applying a connector sheet to assemblages of pairs of cigarettes aligned axially and having a double length filter plug therebetween which includes a rotatable drum, first and second pluralities of projections positioned uniformly around the peripheries of said drum with an intermediate region therebetween having a width greater than the length of said filter plug, wherein a succession of adhesive coated connector sheets are delivered to said intermediate annular region and said assemblages are transferred to the drum with the filter plug being positioned on the adhesive connector sheet and the cigarettes being in contact with the sides of aligned first and second pluralities of projections, and means to induce the pair of cigarettes and filter plug to roll along the periphery of the rotatable drum to a next occurring plurality of projections whereby the adhesive coated connector sheet is wrapped around the filter plug to form the assemblage, testing apparatus, which comprises: a lever mounted for pivotable movement towards and away from the rotatable drum, and means biasing said lever toward the drum to engage the wrapped assemblage approximately at its midlength, whereby if there is a pair of cigarettes having a connector sheet wrapped all around but without any filter plug, said connector sheet will yield to cause the cigarettes united by the connector sheet to move away from the drum and thereafter fall from the drum as rejected cigarettes. 